We had a great start to the week exploring a wonderful National Trust site we’ve visited before. After an indoor picnic it was business as usual, taking what is now a poignant photo and doing a spot of decorating.
Welcome to Project 365: Week #8.
Day 47
Today was glorious Spring day and we had a lot of fun at the stunning Winkworth Arboretum. This is POD checking we were behind her before she ran off, tumbled in the bouncy grass, laughed and did it all again! You can read the Spring at Winkworth Arboretum post here.
Day 48
There was no gymnastics today and more rain so we had an indoor picnic with monkey. POD decided wearing a hat was necessary as was drinking milk from a bottle. We had egg with asparagus.
Day 49
The usual working routine from today. I love that I notice things that would otherwise go unnoticed. Like this fragile leaf, it almost looks like it’s floating above the grass.
Day 50
These are water droplets in a Seedman bud. It looked prettier to the naked eye but interesting all the same. I had to get my head right in the bush to take this so came up covered in seeds!
Day 51
Funnily enough this wild flower in a bed of weeds looked ordinary to the naked eye but it’s great up close.
Day 52
This photograph was taken on a mobile phone *gasp* whilst walking across Waterloo Bridge. I only knew about the drive by shooting (that took place half an hour later) when I went to catch my last train home and the bridge was closed. It had been a great night up to that point catching up with a friend. This photograph may not be a great quality but it sure is poignant.
Day 53
There’s been much clearing and decorating today as POD has a new carpet being fitted next week. I spotted this flower on the patio while I was hoovering under the kitchen table! It’s not perfect but it’s very pretty.
Having recently explored the Devil’s Punch Bowl, Abinger Roughs and Bookham Commons, last weekend was the turn of another National Trust site – Winkworth Arboretum. We last visited in Autumn (twice!) but it’s beautiful any time of year.
The wooded valley and lakes were the result of Dr Wilfrid Fox’s vision – it was his place to experiment with planting styles and tree species. He wanted to use plants to paint a picture that blended in with the beauty of the valley.
Sunday was the most glorious Spring day – sunshine, blue skies and mild weather. We were greeted with a spectacular display of daffodils when we arrived much to everyone’s delight.
This is what you see from the viewing platform – scenery so picture perfect, it’s almost like a postcard. If you’re looking for the feel good factor, just stand here for a few minutes and feel that fresh air hit your lungs.
Although there are access all areas routes suitable for those of us with a buggy, we chose to head down towards The Bowl. This leads to the Boat House and Rowe’s Flashe Lake which Daddy had not seen before.
The route we took was fairly gentle with wide steps so it was easy to navigate between the two of us.
The surroundings are fabulous. Not just the the snowdrop lined path but the The Bowl itself and the view looking back up where we’d just come.
The Bowl is an open space adorned with wonderful trees. POD quickly realised the grass was bouncy and it was the perfect place for her to ‘run off’ – once she’d checked we were behind her!
It was then a case of the more Daddy chased, the faster POD ran falling several times in the bouncy grass. After giggling on the ground in a way only a three year old can, she was back on her feet and off again.
If she wasn’t running, she was hiding behind trees and testing muddy puddles!
The boathouse and lake is a place of calm where you can admire the views and watch the ducks. Over the other side of the lake you can really appreciate it and the immense Magnolia Wood above.
The wetlands were once a lake and they’ve been left to redevelop naturally – they’re a fascinating sight at this time of year.
On my last visit the Azalea Steps were littered with red Acer leaves but now they’re framed with snowdrops and new signs of life. We didn’t take this route as we had the buggy but I love the walk from the Boathouse up the Azalea Steps to the woodland.
We always have a great time at the Winkworth Arboretum and how amazing to see daffodils. Surely this is a sign Spring is on it’s way?
POD is often heard addressing her toys or parents with “I’m a doctor. Okay?”. She takes this role very seriously, even more so since receiving her Haba Doctor’s Suitcase.
It’s metal with a wooden handle and lunchbox size so patients can be treated wherever they are. It’s easy to open and close too which is essential when it’s required all the time!
Inside is a prescription block, pencil, spatula, syringe, tube of ointment, spoon, thermometer, an elastic bandage and plasters. The contents are sturdy yet beautifully made and the attention to detail is spot on.
POD’s first patient was George – he was sicker than Peppa but both had been in an accident. After having his temperature taken, he was provided with medicine and his stomach wound plastered.
Having made him comfortable, POD moved onto her next patient – Peppa Pig “what’s your name?” “what happened to you?” “it’s alright I’ll make you better”.
As you can see, POD takes her doctor role very seriously. She cares for each of her patients and regularly checks to see if they’re alright. Thankfully Peppa and George survived another day.
Many toys have been treated now. You’ll find them strewn across the house donning red plasters until they’re fit enough to enjoy themselves again.
The Haba Doctor’s Suitcase is perfect for pretend play. It’s wonderful to watch POD as she likes to refer to herself in the third person and involve many.
Here she has taken her chair and booster seat into the front room so she can see to her patients – and sing to them like Jo Jingles does at nursery. Being treated on this occasion was a teddy, a cat doorstop and a Christmas reindeer.
POD is happy to relax nervous patients by demonstrating how it’s done, highlighting there is nothing to be afraid of.
If group care is what’s required, that’s what she will provide – keeping everyone informed as she works. You have to admire her multi-tasking and balancing skills.
Mummy and Daddy are also regular patients. POD is able to take a temperature under your armpit in double quick time now with cream and bandaging following afterwards. She also enjoys checking your throat with the spatula and administering medicine to make you feel better.
The Haba Doctor’s Suitcase has been played with more than any other toy since Christmas – a feat in itself given POD’s birthday falls on 25th December. It’s great quality and well worth the £22.60 it costs, it’s available from The Toadstool
These berries were wonderful to photograph when adorned with raindrops. They used to hang over our weather beaten fence like miniature crystals. I love this image of POD peeping through the hole in that same fence which has since been replaced.
Over recent weeks we’ve become experts at second guessing the weather in our quest for fresh air. Recently we visited the Devil’s Punch Bowl and the rain stopped just as we arrived. It was worth the risk, we were greeted with panoramic views across Surrey and a dramatic skyline.
POD was delighted there were so many muddy puddles to wade through and we even saw some wild horses.
When the sun shines you’ll see us dart out of the house so we can take full advantage. Whether it’s exploring an ancient woodland,
following a children’s trail in the grounds of a Palladian Mansion
or just enjoying the first proper Spring day.
The Sport Relief Team Honk Blogger Relay is a person to person relay from Lands End to John O’Groats. It’s a route of nearly 3,000 miles involving nearly 200 bloggers, their family and friends.
The Fleet leg took place on Thursday 6th February.
Dressed in a Sport Relief all-in-one, red afro wig and Elvis glasses, I met @MummyBarrow, @bruceb_uk, @lady_briggs and @navininika at the station where we caught a train to Farnborough Main.
This provided the perfect opportunity to make funny faces,
experiment with new looks
and shout “H-O-N-K” down a bollard!
At Farnborough Main we walked and scooted a mile to Farnborough North where we caught a train to Crowthorne. Passers by pretended they couldn’t see us!
In Crowthorne we met birthday boy @andywebbdj and his wife @missuswebb who was in a wheelchair for the day due to a recent diagnosis of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia. Their daughter @Katiielou_xo also came dressed as a unicorn.
Having stopped off for essential supplies we embarked on the four mile walk to Wokingham.
It rained a lot but we remained in good spirits. We waved at passing traffic and cheered when we were honked. We had a good sing-a-long too thanks to the brilliant music system Andy and Sarah brought with them.
In Wokingham we were treated to delicious warm bacon rolls, lovingly prepared for us by Suzanne from @3childrenandit. She was part of the group cycling to Reading which also included @gourmetmum, @BelindaAlbasini and @Owen2306.
After the bacon rolls, we all walked ¼ mile to Luckley House school. With Chariots of Fire playing, we arrived to the most amazing welcome and a sea of Team Honk banners.
Afterwards the baton, aptly named Mr B, was passed to the cycling team by @MummyBarrow.
They then embarked on their nine mile journey to Reading. We drove to there to meet them and they beat us! Having handed over the baton in Reading, the cycling team headed back to Wokingham and we grabbed a late lunch before heading homeward. It was an incredible day spent with an inspirational bunch of people.
To date Team Honk has raised a staggering £18,690 for Sport Relief – £1,165 of which is from the Fleet leg.
We’re linking this post up with #whatsthestory here on PODcast. You’ll find the Linky for w/c 17th February 2014 here.
If you enjoy this blog, please vote for us in the photography or family fun categories. We’d love to be nominated in the MAD Blog Awards 2014.
Hello everyone! Welcome to What’s The Story? for w/c 17th February 2014.
Thank you for joining in last week, so many brilliant reads! Some of the faves included A letter to my newlywed self, Alexander’s Christening Day, Little T attends a tea party, The Plane and Star jumps.
If you’re new here, What’s The Story? is a photography based Linky which enables you to share the stories behind your photographs. It’s open from 6.30am every Monday through to Sunday.
To join in with What’s The Story?, all you have to do is share a photograph and the story behind it. You can write as little or much as you like and your photo/s can be from any time – old or new. You can link up a old post too if it’s relevant.
Feel free to use the What’s The Story? badge or link back here – I’m happy to share your post in return. Please do take the time to comment on some of your fellow bloggers posts when you can. It’s always worthwhile checking back later in the week too.
Have a great week #whatsthestory
It was a case of battling the elements this week for the outdoor captures. Day 45 was taken just as the storm approached Surrey so it’s a miracle there’s a photo! We did manage to get out – firstly to the Devil’s Punch Bowl and latterly to capture exotic butterflies and orchids.
Welcome to Project 365 week #7.
Day 40
This photograph was taken at the Devil’s Punch Bowl – an area of outstanding natural beauty. We enjoyed panoramic views, much puddle splashing and even came across a field of wild horses. This is the moment POD realised there was mustard in Mummy’s ham sandwich (despite already eating one!). You can see more photographs of the Devil’s Punch Bowl here.
Day 41
POD had her second gymnastics session. She did brilliantly on the apparatus – speeding across the balance beam and on the trapeze twice. She even attempted the straddle and a tuck positions.
We had our storm damaged fence replaced today. POD and I spotted this porky little Robin in our neighbour’s garden. This is a female – the (much slimmer!) male is a frequent visitor to our garden.
Day 42
Working today. Another Hydrangea bud caught my eye – the veins of this one looked wonderful through a macro lens!
Day 43
RHS Wisley had a cancellation for a private photography session at their Butterflies in the Glasshouse event. I was outside their entrance at 7.30am raring to go. It wasn’t a tutored session but I got to take photographs before the working day which was pretty special.
It was tough choosing a photo for this day but this White Morpho looks like it is wearing headphones! You can see more photographs at Butterflies in the Glasshouse (part two).
Day 44
The garden always provides a happy haven even if it’s just for a few minutes – especially when you spot some colour.
Day 45
This photograph was taken just as the storm approached Surrey and the rain became heavier. I was delighted to find these berries further down the garden. The ones that hung over our damaged fence couldn’t be saved when it was replaced.
Day 46
This is POD immersed in Toy Story 3. She loves this film although she’s not very keen on the cymbal-banging monkey – as you can see from her expression!
If you enjoy this blog, please vote for us in the photography and/or family fun categories. We’d love to be nominated in the MAD Blog Awards 2014.
Having seen butterflies in the Glasshouse two weeks ago, I was back for one of RHS Wisley’s butterfly photography sessions which are held while the event is on. Although fully booked I was lucky enough to get a cancellation. So two days later there I was, camera in hand waiting patiently at the entrance. It was 7.30am.
RHS Wisley is often peaceful but being there out of hours was wonderful. Ducks happily washing themselves and gardeners already busy at work.
The Glasshouse was slightly cooler than it was on our last visit so there were no steamy lenses. This pleased everyone greatly as it meant we could get stuck in straightaway.
There was a good vibe within the group. We supported each other when we needed a leaf held and shared what we’d seen. I was hoping to catch a Blue Morpho with it’s wings open (they’re an amazing turquoise colour) or spot a Big Billy (a huge black and red butterfly) but it wasn’t to be.
Nevertheless I did capture a great selection of butterflies and it was an excellent session. The slideshow showcases some of the photographs taken and below are a few favourites. This an Asian Swallowtail.
This White Morpho looks like it’s wearing headphones!
This is a Scarlet Swallowtail I think.
This an Owl butterfly – I just love the detail on these.
And this is an Indian Leafwing.
Hats off to the team at RHS Wisley, they did a sterling job. There were drinks available in the Clore Learning Centre as well as hot pastries. I bypassed these in favour of capturing the butterflies but what a wonderful experience. Just brilliant.
